Iris latifolia (engelsk iris) 1649 - 1659

This is Hans Simon Holtzbecker’s watercolor and gouache depiction of Iris latifolia. It’s rendered with a delicacy that speaks to both Holtzbecker’s technical mastery, and also the cultural status of botanical illustration at the time. This kind of work was essential to early scientific inquiry. Accuracy was paramount, making demands on the artist's observational skills and technical ability. The crispness of line, the careful blending of pigment, and the layering of detail, all contribute to the image’s convincing verisimilitude. Yet there's a social dimension here too. Holtzbecker was working at a time when the Dutch and other European powers were extending their reach around the world. The wealthy elite consumed this imagery, fueling the emerging global trade in exotic flora and fauna. This combination of scientific purpose and consumer desire underpinned Holtzbecker’s practice. Ultimately, this beautiful image is a testament to the power of observation, the skill of the artist's hand, and the economic forces that shaped the early modern world.